"Yer must be durned fond o' b'ar-meat ter come up here alone."
"I am."
"Waal, did yer get yer b'ar?"
"No."
"Whar's yer critter?"
"My horse is down the mountain."
"I'll go arter him," said one suspiciously; but Billy answered quickly:
"Oh, no, I'll not trouble you; but if I can leave my rifle here, I'll go after him."
"All right, pard; but I guesses two of us better go with yer fer comp'ny, as we loves ter be sociable."
Buffalo Billy well knew now that he was in a nest of horse-thieves and desperadoes; but he dared not show his suspicions, as he felt assured they would kill him without the slightest compunction.